Giving thanks in tragedy

Published 6:00 pm, Monday, November 24, 2003

Becoming a mom the second time hasn't been easy for one Channelview resident named Phyllis. We use her first name only to protect her privacy.

Phyllis has had her life turned upside down in the last few years.

Many years ago, she was the owner of a business, serving the Channelview and North Channel community. Her success allowed her to be one of the benefactors of the North Channel Assistance Ministries and her daughter attended classes with Adapt Learning Systems.

Difficulties in her marriage led to an untimely separation and the eventual sale of her business.

She went back to school and found herself in a management position for a large retailer.

Her duties included training new personnel, working as a credit manager, and coordinating events for children.

During that time of adjustment in her life, her daughter came to her privately and told her that she was having marital problems and was leaving her husband because of alleged abuse.

"He (the son-in-law) came to me and told me that he was going to kill me, my daughter and the children," she said.

"I went to the police with the information and they told me that basically it was my word against his and they couldn't do anything about it." Less than 48 hours later, her daughter's body was discovered in Greens Bayou, north of I-10.

The death was ruled a homicide by the Medical Examiner's Office, and the Houston Police Department arrested her daughter's husband for the alleged murder.

Overnight, she accepted the responsibility of being a mom again with three children, ages 5 years and younger. One of the three children was only 2 months old.

After being brought to trial in September of this year, her daughter's husband was found guilty of the murder and received 99 years in the state penal system.

"Justice was done and he's off the streets, but it will never bring my daughter back," Phyllis said. "How can there ever be justice when these precious kids have no mother

now?"

Despite the traumatic experiences that she has faced, the children and grandmom are doing just fine, but are desperate for assistance to right their ship.

"Several years ago, I down-sized into a smaller home when my children left. Now I'm working part time to be here with my grandchildren," she said. "I was in the process of remodeling the home, but all of that came to an abrupt end when my daughter was murdered."

Making ends meet is a complicated issue. There are legal matters that still need to be settled, the addition of the growing children in the home demands a larger space for them, and clothes and presents for Christmas will be difficult.

"I just want to make sure that they have a loving home, that they feel secure and wanted," she said. "Such as it is - unfinished construction in the home - I believe they know that they are loved," said Phyllis.

"Life would just be simpler for us if the construction was done and we had some extra room," she said.

Phyllis believes that if there had been a shelter in the area, her daughter might still be alive.

She still hasn't been able to grieve completely because she has spent her nights and days devoted to the children.

While she was supporting the Food Bank at the North Channel Assistance Ministries, Phyllis never thought for a moment that her life would suffer such a tragedy and a turn-around. Now she's seeking assistance.

"I hope someone will be able to reach out to help me, but I also hope that our community will give to the Christmas Dollar Campaign," she said. "This will help people out here who are truly needy."

To donate to the Christmas Dollar Campaign or to help Phyllis, contact the North Channel Assistance Ministries and mention this story.